Australia
REGULATOR WARNS HIGHER FINES ON THE CARDS FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING ADS

Online betting operators have been issued with more than $100,000 in fines over the past week as Liquor & Gaming NSW continues to take a zero-tolerance approach to the publication of illegal gambling inducements.
Most recently, online betting provider BetDeluxe has been fined $70,000 for publishing illegal gambling inducements after being prosecuted by Liquor & Gaming NSW.
This follows the successful prosecution of PointsBet, which was fined a total of $35,000 for publishing illegal gambling inducements last week, after receiving a $20,000 fine for the same offences in 2019.
Hospitality and Racing CEO, Anthony Keon said Liquor & Gaming NSW was continuing to pro-actively monitor online betting providers and it was completely unacceptable that seven bookmakers have been prosecuted on multiple occasions since 2018.
“Liquor & Gaming NSW will continue to actively pursue operators for illegal advertisements and advocate for the courts to issue higher penalties,” Mr Keon said.
“In 2018 the NSW Government introduced new laws to significantly increase penalties for wagering operators who are found guilty of promoting inducements to gamble, with maximum fines now set at $110,000 per offence for a corporation.
“Clearly some of these operators think gambling inducements are just the cost of doing business, but they are wrong, and they are pushing their luck. We will continue to bring these matters before the courts and seek higher penalties that reflect community expectations.”
In Downing Centre Local Court yesterday (18/5), BetDeluxe pleaded guilty to five offences that included 21 Facebook promotions for bonus bets on sports games and enhanced odds on horse racing.
In addition to the $70,000 in fines, BetDeluxe has also been ordered to pay $8,500 in legal costs. This is the first time the company has been prosecuted for this type of offence.
PointsBet pleaded guilty to two advertisements that included an Instagram promotion to get $50 back in bonus bets, similar to those it offered in 2019 on the Apple App Store, promising $100 cash back on certain bets.
“Prohibitions on gambling inducements are an important harm minimisation measure and the increase in maximum penalties, along with our continued prosecution action, should send a clear message to wagering operators about how seriously we view these matters,” Mr Keon said.
“Reoffenders run the risk of the higher range penalties, and more scrutiny, so let me be clear that patterns of poor compliance are not worth the trouble.
“We hope this is the first and last time we see BetDeluxe in court for gambling inducements.”
Since 2015, Liquor & Gaming NSW has successfully prosecuted 37 matters for prohibited gambling advertising, resulting in over $642,500 in fines, with nine betting providers currently before the courts.
Australia
IAGR releases conference program for IAGR2022

The International Association of Gaming Regulators has released the program for its
annual conference, taking place in Melbourne, Australia from 17 to 20 October.
The program is available on IAGR’s website, with early–bird ticket prices on offer until 15
August.
IAGR Vice President and UK Gambling Commission Director, Ben Haden, believes the
line–up is one of the strongest yet, reflecting a time of disruption through a lens of
innovation.
“Over four days, our speakers and attendees will delve into global regulatory challenges,
safer gambling initiatives, security updates and technology advances impacting the
industry,” explains Ben.
“With sessions including ‘Why the Women’s World Cup 2023 will be the biggest betting
event ever’, ‘An introduction to gambling in the Metaverse’, ‘Regulating emerging
technology’, ‘Gambling–like reward mechanisms in video games’ and ‘How regulators can
use lived experience to prevent gambling harm’, it’s clear we have a richly diverse,
fascinating and relevant line–up.”
This year’s speakers include:
• Michael Morton, Senior Policy Counsel, Nevada Gaming Control Board
• Fran Thorn, Chair, Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission
• Earle Hall, VC, International Gaming Standards Association & CEO @ AXES.ai
• Andrew Rhodes, CEO, Gambling Commission United Kingdom
• Professor Sally Gainsbury, Director, Gambling Treatment and Research Clinic,
Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney
• Stephen Bryan, QC, Special Manager for the Melbourne Casino Operator
• Paul Buck, CEO, Epic Risk Management
More sessions and panellists are expected to be confirmed over the coming weeks.
Dr Jason Lane, IAGR President and Chief Executive of the Jersey Gambling
Commission, says he’s particularly looking forward to being able to greet regulators from
across the globe in person.
“Many gambling regulators, including me, couldn’t travel to last year’s conference in
Boston,” says Jason. “IAGR2022 will be an amazing opportunity to reunite, connect and
build relationships with regulators, industry stakeholders and thought leaders in person
in beautiful Melbourne.”
IAGR2022 is hosted by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission.
Australia
CROWN CASINO GIVEN CONDITIONAL APPROVAL TO OPERATE GAMING

The NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority has given Crown Sydney casino conditional approval to open its gaming operations
The Authority’s Chairperson, Philip Crawford, said Crown will be allowed to conditionally begin casino operations, giving the Authority the chance to monitor the final phase of its restricted gaming licence suitability assessment, after the 2021 Bergin Inquiry found Crown unsuitable to hold the licence.
“Under the Authority’s supervision, Crown has rebuilt its gaming model from the ground up, which has meant deep structural change around governance, anti-money laundering measures and corporate culture,” Mr Crawford said.
“After more than one year’s work with Crown, the Authority is pleased to have reached a stage where Crown can open its casino operations on a conditional basis.
“Given the need to observe the changes in operation as well as ensure changes are embedded in the business, the Authority will consider approval of Crown’s suitability until the end of the conditional gaming period, which could run between 18 months and two years.
“The new systems and internal control measures have been set up and will be in place from day one.”
Mr Crawford said the Bergin Inquiry highlighted the scale and scope of issues to be remediated by Crown, with potentially billions of dollars having been laundered through its casinos.
“Crown has been required to implement a raft of stringent controls to prevent money laundering and criminal infiltration in its NSW business model. What was happening in Crown’s interstate operations will not be repeated in NSW,” Mr Crawford said.
“With a complete clean-out of the board and senior executive, Crown has made significant progress and has agreed to ongoing work to regain its casino licence.”
The Authority has also approved Blackstone’s suitability to hold a casino licence in NSW. Having gained the other necessary approvals from Victorian and West Australian regulators and the Federal Court, Blackstone takes over as the new owner of Crown on Friday 24 June.
Australia
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